Self-winding watch



Feb. 12, 1952 I CQLOMB 2,585,228

SELF-WINDING WATCH Filed J1me 1, 1951 mvem NAM COLOMB Patented Feb. 12, 1952 (SELF-WINDING WATCH Marc Colomb, Peseux, Switzerland, assignor to Fabrique dEabauches de Peseux S. A., Peseux, Switzerland, a joint-stock company Application June 1, 1951, Serial No. 229,370 In Switzerland June 21, 1950 4 Claims.

This invention relates to self-winding watches, and more particularly to self-winding watches including bodies arranged for pendulum motion.

It is an object of this invention. to provide an improved self-winding watch of the type aforesaid wherein the body arranged for pendulum or rocking motion, is also capable of performing complete revolutions.-

Other objects, and the manner in which the same are attained, will become apparent as this specification proceeds.

The invention contemplates providing a selfwinding watch including a body arranged for pendulum or rocking motion and also capable of executing complete revolutions, wherein the main spring is wound upon rotary displacement of the pendulum type body in either direction, by means of a segment arranged for rocking motion and mounting for pivotal displacement, two driving pawls which actuate two interengaging winding wheels. In accordance with the invention, this segment comprises two notches adapted to be engaged by cam portions provided on two interengaging gear wheels which are driven by the pendulum body, these cam portions being so arranged that at any given time at least one of the cam portions engages the said segment.

In the drawing accompanying this specification and forming part thereof, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated diagrammatically by way of example.

In the drawing, the sole figure is a plan view of one embodiment of the invention wherein all parts not absolutely necessary for a understanding of the invention, have been omitted for sake of clarity.

Referring now to the drawing, the pendulum body I is shown to drive a gear wheel 2 provided integral or connected with the body I, the gear wheel 2 meshing with another gear wheel 3. Each of the wheels 2 and 3 mounts a pair of pin-shaped cam portions 4 and 5, and 6 and I, respectively, the cam portions of each pair being disposed diametrically opposite to one another.

he cam portions 4 and 5, and 6 and 7, respectively, are arranged to cooperate with two notches s and 9, respectively, provided in a segment I which is pivotally mounted at l I. This segment It mounts two driving pawls-l2 and I3 which are adapted to engage the winding wheels l4 and I5, respectively, meshing with one another. A pinion it provided integral with or mounted on the wheel I4 meshes with a wheel H which in turn is coupled, directly or indirectly, to the main spring of the watch (not shown).

The operation of the novel watch mechanism described above, is as follows:

The body I is capable of executing complete revolutions as well as pendulum or rocking motions. If it is assumed that it turns always in the same direction, for example in the direction of the arrow A shown in the drawing, the wheel 2 will be carried along by the body 5 so as to turn in the same direction, as indicated by the arrow B shown in the drawing, and the wheel 3, meshing as it does with the wheel 2, turns in the opposite direction, i. e. the direction indicated by arrow C shown in the drawing. As noted above, the cam portions 4, 5, t and l are so arranged on the wheels 2 and 3 that at any given time, one of them at least engages one of the notches 8. or 9 provided on the segment It. If it is assumed that as shown in the drawing, the cam portion 4 engages the notch 3, a rotation of the wheel 2 in the direction of arrow B is bound to cause the cam portion 1 to displace the segment ID in a clockwise direction. A moment later, the cam portion 5 disengages the notch 8 and simultaneously, the cam portion 6 provided on the wheel 3, engages the notch 2% provided on the segment [0; inasmuch as the wheel 3 turns in a direction opposite to that of the wheel 2, the cam portion 6, upon engagement with the notch 9, drives the segment [0 in the opposite direction as before, i. e. counterclockwise. When the cam portion 6 leaves the notch 9, the cam portion 5 provided on the wheel 2 takes over by engaging the notch 8 so as to displace the segment I9, once again, in clockwise direction. Thus it is apparent that the segment H3 is caused to execute a pendulum or rocking motion, which in turn, causes the driving pawls i2 and I3 to actuate alternately the winding wheels it and 15, respectively, whereby to wind the main spring of the watch.

If the body I revolves continuously in a direction opposite to that of arrow A, the operation is the same except that all directions are reversed.

If the body I executes a back-and-forth pendulum or rocking motion, it may happen that one of the cam portions, for example cam portion 4, drives the segment l0 first in one direction and then, upon reversing its own direction, in the other direction, without either cam portion 6 or cam portion 1 having engaged the notch 9. Manifestly, this does not jeopardize the operation of the mechanism, the only difference being that the rocking motion is imparted to the segment ill by means of the wheel 2 alone, to the temporary exclusion of the wheel 3. With larger amplitudes of the rocking motion of body I, of course, the operation is substantially as described above, with a cam portion of one wheel alternating with a cam portion of the other wheel in engaging either one of the notches in the segment re whereby to impart thereto the rocking motion which, by use of the driving pawls and the winding wheels actuated thereby, causes the main spring of the watch to be wound up.

The pin-shaped portions 4, 5, 6 and l, of course, may be replaced by other kinds of cams such as suitably shaped or cut projections, etc., the

notches being modified in shape if necessary to permit proper cam action corresponding to that described above with reference to the cam portions illustrated in the drawing.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction, design and operation shown and described as numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims, may suggest themselves to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A self-winding watch comprising a body arranged for pendulum motion as well as for complete revolution, interengaging gear wheels arranged to be driven by said body, amember arranged for rocking motion, interengaging winding wheels arranged to be driven by said member, and means on said gear wheels and means on said member adapted for intermittent mutual engagement.

2. A self-winding watch comprising a body arranged ior pendulum motion as well as for complate revolution, interengaging gear wheels arranged to be driven by said body, a member arranged for rocking motion, interengaging winding wheels arranged to be driven by said member, notches in said member and cam portions on said gear wheels adapted to engage said notches.

3. A self-winding watch comprising a body arranged for pendulum motion as well as for complete revolution, interengaging gear wheels arranged to be driven by said body, a member arranged for rocking motions, interengaging winding wheels arranged to be driven by said member, two notches in said member and two cam portions on each of said gear wheels adapted to engage said notches so that at any given time, at least one of said cam portions engages one of said notches.

4. A self-winding watch comprising a body arranged for pendulum motion as well as for complete revolution, two meshing gear wheels arranged to be driven by said body, a segment arranged for rocking motion, driving pawls mounted on said segment and two meshing winding wheels arranged to be driven by said driving pawls, two notches in said segment and two pairs of cam portions on said gear wheels, each pair being adapted to intermittently engage one of said notches so that at any given time, at least one of said cam portions engages one 01" said notches.

MARC COLOMB.

No references cited. 

